September 6, 2026

Pregnancy week 15: symptoms, baby size and tips

Q: Is nasal congestion or a little nosebleed normal?

Yes, it's called \"pregnancy rhinitis\", caused by the extra blood flow making your mucous membranes swell. It's common and harmless. If the bleeding is heavy, keeps happening or comes with other symptoms, talk to your doctor.

Pregnancy week 15 is still within the second trimester, that time when many women feel their energy coming back and start to feel like themselves again. Your baby is now about 10 centimetres, roughly the size of an apple, and some fascinating things are happening this week: its skeleton is growing firmer, it may even have hiccups, and it’s starting to hear you. Let me tell you everything that’s going on.

If you’re coming from pregnancy week 14, you’ve already left the heaviest part of the first trimester behind. And to have the whole path at hand, check out our pregnancy week by week guide.

What is pregnancy week 15?

As always, pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period (LMP), not from conception. In week 15 you’re about 13 weeks from fertilisation, in your fourth month (weeks 14–17) and still in the second trimester, which runs from week 13 to week 28.

Your placenta is still doing pretty much all the work (making hormones, including progesterone, and keeping your baby well fed), so your hCG levels keep stabilising gradually. That’s why many women feel relieved and more energetic this week. And on top of that, your bump is starting to show: your uterus now rises above your pelvis, which also tends to ease those very frequent urges to pee from the early weeks.

What can you see on a week 15 scan?

This isn’t usually a week for routine scans, but if you have one, you’ll see a baby that has grown a huge amount:

Its skeleton is hardening: the bones are getting firmer and look more defined on the scan, especially in the head and arms.
It moves non-stop: it bends and stretches its arms and legs, turns around and even sucks its thumb.
Its legs are now longer than its arms, and its joints (elbows, knees) work brilliantly.
It may have hiccups: the diaphragm is already working, and those rhythmic little “sobs” are a sign it’s growing well. On scans you sometimes spot those hiccups as small jumps.
Its head is more proportionate to its body now, no longer that giant “ball” from earlier weeks.

If you haven’t taken a test yet, don’t worry: your hCG is still high and any test is very reliable. You can take our free online pregnancy test for guidance with your symptoms, and if you fancy a distraction, try our finger pregnancy test game: it’s just a game, not a real test.

What symptoms are normal in week 15?

This is a week with lots of different feelings, and the most common one is noticing your body in a friendlier place:

Energy returns and nausea settles: for most, the first-trimester discomfort is behind them, although every pregnancy is different.
Your appetite wakes up: with fewer aversions, it’s normal to want to eat again. A good moment to take care of your diet.
Your bump is more noticeable: your uterus now juts out a little above your pubic bone, so the bump starts to show from the outside.
Nasal congestion and, sometimes, light nosebleeds: the extra blood flow makes your mucous membranes swell. It’s what’s called “pregnancy rhinitis”, and it’s very common and harmless. If the bleeding is heavy or ongoing, talk to your doctor.
Heartburn or indigestion: progesterone relaxes the stomach valve and acid can come up. Eating little and often helps.
Twinges or cramps in your lower belly (round ligament pain): as your uterus grows, those ligaments stretch and you feel sharp pulls when you change position or sneeze. That’s normal, but if the pain is strong or persistent, talk to your doctor.
Cramps in your legs, especially at night: common in the second trimester. Gently stretching your calves and staying hydrated helps.
Skin changes: the linea alba (a darker line under the belly button), darker areolas and the “pregnancy glow” can all appear. All of it is normal.

Hardly any symptoms? Also completely normal. Every woman experiences each week in her own way.

How big is the baby in week 15?

Week 15 baby, the size of an apple

The baby in week 15 measures about 10 centimetres (from head to toe) and weighs around 70 grams, roughly the size of an apple. And although it’s still small, this week it’s full of activity:

Its skeleton is hardening: the bones are calcifying and getting firmer.
Its hair pattern is forming on the scalp, though it isn’t visible to the naked eye yet.
It’s starting to hear you: the tiny bones of the inner ear are forming, so your baby can already pick up some sounds, like your heartbeat or your voice.
It sucks its thumb and swallows amniotic fluid: it’s training for life on the outside.
Its taste buds are developing, so it’s starting to tell different flavours apart.
It may have hiccups, a sign that its diaphragm and respiratory system are developing well.
Its bone marrow is starting to make its own blood cells.
Its muscles keep getting stronger: it can already move its arms and legs and even clench its fists.

Fun fact: even though it moves a lot, it’s very likely you still can’t feel its movements. If you’ve been pregnant before, you might already notice some fluttering, but for most first-time mums the first movements come between weeks 18 and 22. Don’t worry if you don’t feel anything yet: it’s completely normal.

Tips for week 15

Don’t panic about congestion or light nosebleeds: “pregnancy rhinitis” is common. Keep the air moist and avoid decongestants without asking your doctor.
Don’t expect to feel movements yet: if you notice nothing, it doesn’t mean something’s wrong. First-time mums usually feel the first movements around weeks 18–22.
Keep an eye on the second-trimester screening: if your team offers it, a combined screening can be done between weeks 15 and 18. Ask your midwife or doctor when you’re due.
Sleep on your side, preferably the left: it improves circulation to the uterus and can help with heartburn. Put a pillow between your knees for extra comfort.
Keep taking folic acid: although the neural tube has closed, it’s still important. I explain everything in folic acid in pregnancy.
Take care of your diet: fruit, vegetables, protein and hydration. Keep avoiding alcohol, smoking and raw foods, and eat several small meals a day to help with heartburn.
Keep moving gently: walking, swimming or prenatal yoga are great for your mood and for preparing your body.
Don’t self-medicate: always ask your doctor before taking anything.
Work out your due date with the gestogram and track your week with how many weeks pregnant am I.

FAQ

What month am I in during week 15?

You’re in your fourth month of pregnancy (weeks 14–17), within the second trimester. You’re about 13 weeks from fertilisation.

How big is the baby in week 15?

About 10 centimetres from head to toe and around 70 grams: roughly the size of an apple. Its skeleton is hardening and it can already have hiccups, hear you and suck its thumb.

Why can’t I feel the baby moving yet?

Because it’s still very small and is usually in a position where you can’t perceive it yet. First-time mums usually feel the first movements between weeks 18 and 22. It’s completely normal.

Is nasal congestion or a little nosebleed normal?

Yes, it’s called “pregnancy rhinitis”, caused by the extra blood flow making your mucous membranes swell. It’s common and harmless. If the bleeding is heavy, keeps happening or comes with other symptoms, talk to your doctor.

Can the baby hear me in week 15?

Yes, it’s starting to pick up sounds: the tiny bones of the inner ear are forming, and your baby can already notice things like your voice or your heartbeat. Its hearing will keep maturing in the coming weeks.

What is the second-trimester screening?

It’s a blood test (sometimes combined with a scan) usually offered between weeks 15 and 18 to look at the risk of certain chromosomal conditions. It’s arranged by your midwife or doctor depending on your case. It’s voluntary and doesn’t replace advice from your healthcare team.

Sources

Remember this article is for information only. If you have questions about your health or think something might be off, talk to your doctor. They can advise on the right tests and support you through this special time ❤️.